Forgive me if I've told you this before, but the young guns around town are firing full blast - as evidenced by some of the gatherings over the past few weeks.
One of the gigs that proved the point was the Artscape Youth Jazz Festival held last Saturday, which saw some youngsters from Atlantis coming together and showing there is a lot of talent which has set their sights beyond the Pop Idols and MTV cultures.
Unfortunately, this is Cape Town and the support could have been a bit better, but we all know that it is very difficult to find enough people in this city to give youngsters like these the support to reach their full potential, especially if they come from disadvantaged communities.
Saturday also marked the first performance of the Artscape Youth Jazz Band, made up of 12 musicians who were selected at auditions held in June. They have been under the watchful eye of George Werner, who has been hosting intensive workshops and master classes every Saturday for the past few months.
You could see all of them enjoying their music on Saturday, but keep your ears open for the singer in this band, Andiswe Yohane, who is also part of the Tomecy project.
This artist is going to grow into another powerful force on the South African scene if she keeps at it, and she's got the attitude and passion for the music that will take her there. Watch this space!
Once again The Little Giants and Belhar Music Collective were impressive, but I have to make special mention of the short set that featured the Kyle Shepherd Trio.
These youngsters are growing into such powerful and passionate performers that it is hard to believe they are still in high school. Dylan Tabisher on bass impressed the punters with a style that was reminiscent of Jaco Pastorius at times.
Another group that got the ears going was the Levites from Atlantis. Here is another group that is doing superb work in the community, providing positive role models in an area where crime, drugs and gangsterism are just some of the problems that young people have to face daily.
These cats also have a singer, Deon, with them who also needs to get on to stages around town a bit more. He's got a voice that will make it happen.
It's also nice to see that one of their members, pianist Willem Jacobs, is also a part of the Artscape Youth Jazz Band.
Keep up the good work guys - we'll have to get you back in town more often.
- Jazz seems to play a big part in education nowadays and some of the cats around town are getting together at the Baxter on Friday night to raise funds for the John Wycliff School in Wynberg.
Music maestro Richard Caesar, whose children attend the school, has put this gig together, and among his musical friends who will be in action are Tony Schilder, Robbie Jansen, David Roubain, Jacky Schilder and Jasper Wessels. Youngsters on the bill include Janine Parker, as well as Maxine and Vaughan Caesar.
Richard says that this is going to be an evening not to be missed because there's going to be enough hot music on offer to chase the current cold spell far away.
Tickets at R60 will be available at the door, or you can e-mail [email protected] for further information.
- On Sunday there are some more exciting sounds at the Jazz at the Nassau series when organiser Cliff Wallis features an evening called The Piano Players.
Looking at the line-up, it's easy to see why local jazz lovers are in for a treat because the evening includes the likes of Andre Petersen, Andrew Ford, Melissa van der Spuy, Jason Realon and Kyle Shepherd.
Charles Lazar on bass and Denver Furness make up the rhythm section for the evening. I don't think I have to go through the list to tell you that this is a great gathering of piano players from start to finish, and you're in for some super sounds.
I've heard that Andre Petersen is still on a musical high after his trip to Norway and he is preparing a set that is going to set the place alight - or getting the Nassau to look for a new piano when he's finished.
But that's just a rumour and we all know that Andre is too well-behaved for something like that, though he can still make some magic with those fingers.
The Nassau Centre is at Groote Schuur High School in Palmyra Road, Newlands. Tickets at R70 will be available at the door from 7pm (the concert starts at 7.30pm) or from Cliff at 021 761 2726 and 076 401 0008.
- If you haven't taken the time to visit this year's season of Jazz Impressions at the Green Dolphin on Wednesday nights you're not treating your ears properly - there've been some super sounds so far.
Last week, vocalist Heinrich Frans, just 19, showed why he makes an impression wherever he sings. His passion for the music comes through with every note - he loves singing, and you can see it just by watching him get into the groove.
Tonight there'll be some more magic with the guitar grooves of Bruce Muirhead and his trio in the first set. Bruce is also one of those young cats who have been playing their way through the ranks.
He has grown into a very accomplished player with a style that tends to lean towards the funky side, but keeping his own originality with his own compositions.
For this gig he will have Heinrich Goosen on drums and Tshepo Puoane, a regular jammer on sax on Monday nights, doing his thing on bass.
This is another young man growing into a little giant - maybe that's because he is a member of The Little Giants, as he is also of the Artscape Youth Jazz Band. If you've only heard him on sax, you're going to be surprised when he makes that bass of his talk.
Another band making its return in the Impressions after a debut last year is Inner Child.
This is another bunch of young guns who really make some great music and they are led by pianist Llewellyn George, a superb player in any mode.
All the cats in the band are graduates of UCT - Neil Engel on trumpet, Kenny Williams on drums, Edwin Steyn on bass and Ashley Wenn on vocals.
The word is out that these cats have been working on lots of new and original material, so there are going to be some super sounds in the Waterfront tonight. There's no cover charge for these gigs, so there's no excuse to stay away. Details: 021 421 7471.
- That's it for this week. Remember, e-mail comment and info to [email protected], or fax to 021 488 4535.
Gig guide
- Joe Schaffers and friends will be entertaining at the buffet luncheon at Catharina's on the Steenberg Estate on Sunday from noon to 3 pm. Booking, details: 021 713 2222 .
- Every Wednesday night sax man Rus Nerwich plays at the Metropole Hotel, 38 Long Street, Cape Town. Details: 021 424 7247
- The Century Restaurant and Bar inside the Newlands cricket grounds hosts a Simonsvlei wine and jazz evening with Dan Shout's band, Gravity, every Thursday evening from 8-11. Cover charge is R15, and dinner or snacks are available. Info: 021 657 3319.
- Sunday's jazz brunch at Winchester Mansions, in Beach Road, Sea Point, features the exciting sounds of Band for Life, featuring Ian Smith. This laid-back brunch starts at 11am and costs R145, inclusive of a glass of bubbly on arrival and a complimentary Sunday newspaper per table. To book call 021 434 2351 or e-mail [email protected]
- On Sunday at Railway House, above Muizenberg Station, you can enjoy a roast lunch with Melissa van der Spuy, and then catch Reenboog featuring Nic le Roux on sax, Mark Fransman on piano, Kevin Gibson on drums and Wesley Ruston on bass. Cover charge is R20; info 021 788 3252
- Manenberg's Jazz Cafe, in the Clocktower precinct at the Waterfront, has some exciting sounds on offer. Tonight there's the Mel Scholtz group, while on Saturday and Sunday veteran musos Alvyn Dyers and Jeff Weiner kick off the sundowers.
Saturday's headliner at 9.30pm is Blackie Thembi on trumpet covering favourites to pack the dance floor. On Sunday at 8.30pm Leslie Klein-Smith and Mother City Groove keep the winter chills at bay with a jazz-laced cabaret. Info: 021 461 5639.
- The Marimba Restaurant and Cigar Bar on the Heerengracht Foreshore features Denay Willie tonight and on Saturday, and Abigail Petersen and her trio tomorrow. On Friday night there's laid-back ambient dinner-jazz featuring piano maestro Ricki Kleinsmith before Denay gets her groove going from 9pm. There's a R20 cover charge for diners and a R30 cover charge for non-diners. Info and booking: 021 418 3366.
- Vernon Castle and friends are still making music at The Jazz Castle, Shop 15, Ottery Value Centre. Tomorrow night you can enjoy their Not Just Jazz night, while Friday and Saturday feature Vernon with the band After Sunset, with Alia Rasool on vocals as well. Info and booking: 021 7031398/9.
- Every Thursday the Blue Chip Restaurant in Wetton Road, Wetton, features the sounds of Mark Johnson on keyboards, Alistair Adams on bass and Jasper Wessels on drums. Details: 021 797 2182
- Monday night jazz jam sessions are a truly Cape tradition. Start your experience at Swingers in Wetton (1 Wetwyn Road, near Wetton station). Guitarist Alvin Dyers leads the resident band that features Nic le Roux on sax, Shaun Johannes on bass and Ivan Bell on drums, from about 9pm. Details: 021 762 2443.